Progress 06/01/05 to 11/30/06
Outputs
Small farms represent a significant proportion of the total U.S farms, and current trends in agriculture pose new challenges for their viability and survival. Several studies indicate that there is an increase in demand for specialty products including goat meat, mushrooms and organic food products. The main purpose of this project was to introduce and promote these enterprises to enhance economic and environmental sustainability and well being of small farmers. The project objectives were; to evaluate economic and environmental benefits/costs; assessing future research/education/outreach activities; and develop a proposal based on findings from this project. The rate of adoption of new enterprises depends on economic returns and associated environmental benefits. The organic farming system relies on ecologically based practices and environmental benefits associated are improved soil tillage and productivity, lower energy use and reduced use of pesticides. It is also
suggested that organic farming can be used by several states to capture environmental benefits by subsidizing conversion to organic farming systems. The price premiums for organic products have contributed to growth in certified organic farmland and ultimately resulted in organic market expansion. The demand for goat meat has increased significantly due to the fast growing ethnic population in the U.S. Despite an increase in domestic production, United States is also a net importer of goat meat. Goat meat production is an emerging business and has the potential to provide small farms the opportunities to create niche markets and enhance their farm sustainability and profitability. Positive contributions that goats make to environmental management are well documented. Their renowned browsing behavior has won them role as biological control agents in land and forage management systems. Mushroom farming is also growing among small and limited resource farmers due to high economic return,
low initial investment, easy to grow and associated environmental benefits. Mushroom is used as food as well as for medicinal purposes. Another major benefit derivable from the mushroom industry is agro-industrial wastes causing pollution and disposal problems, can be used as raw material for mushroom production. This includes sawdust generated from timber processing, cotton mill wastes, and straw from grain production. Focus group meetings were conducted in Tennessee and North Carolina to identify priority areas for future research, educational and outreach activities which will be more effective and efficient in order to promote alternative enterprises among small farmers. The results showed that cost-benefits analysis, risk management and market development were priority research areas. The extension/outreach priority areas include innovative information sources, on-farm demonstrations and farm business incubators along with educational activities in developing marketing skills and
learning regulations and requirements. Project collaborators meeting was held in November 2006 and proposal for NRI program will be submitted in the future.
Impacts
Small farms are seeking high value alternative enterprises to increase their income and sustainability. The goat meat, organic and mushroom farming have potential to meet those criteria and small farmers can take advantage by adopting these enterprises. The associated economic and environmental benefits of these enterprises are remarkable. In order to enhance adoption, there is need for designing programs based on identified priority areas from stakeholders' inputs for future research, educational and outreach programs. These programs will be more effective and efficient in promoting alternative enterprises among small farmers. The small farmers are lacking experience and appropriate related technology in adopting new enterprises. Providing information on cost of production and overall farm income will be helpful when adopting new enterprises. The higher cost of production and lack of enough information about markets affect their decisions to adopt these enterprises.
Future research efforts should focus on cost-benefit analysis and identifying tools to manage risks associated with these enterprises. Extension and outreach programs should provide innovative information delivering methods including Internet and on-farm demonstrations. Designing and providing educational programs in developing marketing skills, food safety practices, regulations and requirements will have notable impact in promoting alternative enterprises. Environmental issues such as integrated pest management and water quality are important considerations for farmers to adopt new enterprises.
Publications
- Muhammad, S. 2006. Strategies to promote goat industry in Tennessee. The Goat Magazine, March/April, Volume 10, No. 2, pp29-30
- Muhammad, S. 2006. Promoting Non-traditional Alternative Enterprises for Small Farmers. (Abstract) Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Volume 38, No. 2, August 2006.
- Muhammad, S. and Doss, C.A. 2006. Growing Goat Meat Industry in Selected Southern States: Profile, Issues and Opportunities. (Abstract) Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Volume 38, No. 2, August 2006.
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Progress 06/01/05 to 05/31/06
Outputs
Small farms represent a significant proportion of the total U.S farms, and current trends in agriculture pose new challenges for their viability and survival. To meet such challenges and competition, there is a need for innovative approaches such as non-traditional and high value alternative enterprises. Several studies indicate that there is an increase in demand for specialty products including goat meat, mushrooms and organic food products. Such enterprises will provide small farms opportunities to create niche markets. The main purpose of this study is to introduce and promote alternative enterprises as an opportunity to enhance economic and environmental sustainability and well being of small farmers. The project will also identify priority areas for future research, educational and outreach activities which will be more effective and efficient in order to promote alternative enterprises among small farmers. Once these priority areas are identified and future
programs will be designed based on these priorities. Such educational and outreach activities will be more effective and efficient in order to promote alternative enterprises among small farmers. Two focus group meetings were conducted in Montgomery and Giles counties in Tennessee. Preliminary results showed that cost-benefits analysis and marketing were priority research areas, on-farm demonstrations and innovative information sources; outreach priorities and regulations/ requirements and food safety were educational priorities indicated by small farmers. The results also showed that economic and environmental impacts of these enterprises are impressive for sustainable agriculture.
Impacts
Goat meat farming, organic and mushroom farming has potential for high value alternative enterprises. Small farmers can take advantage in order to enhance their income and survival. More market research to create niche for alternative enterprises will bring higher prices and increase their income. To promote alternative enterprises, it is necessary to focus on: 1.) Cost-benefit analysis, 2.) On farm demonstrations and 3.) Regulations and requirements. Internet can play an important role in promoting alternative enterprises. The results showed that environmental issues such as water quality are important considerations for farmers to adopt new enterprises. More focus group meetings are planned for Tennessee and North Carolina in near future.
Publications
- Muhammad, S. 2006. Strategies to promote goat industry in Tennessee. The Goat Magazine, Volume 10, No. 2, April/May 2006, pp29-30
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